This round 10 rescheduled fixture was played on a stunning warm winter Sunday morning and a win for Bally would take them top of the Division One table.

From the outset Dale and Rich caused the Kiama defence all sorts of problems with Dale opening the scoring after taking on two defenders and smashing a shot into the back of the net from a tight angle on the right. A few minutes later, Dale replicated the exact same run, beat two defenders and squared for Rich to easily slot home. Bally 2 Kiama 0.

Bally then became a little complacent and Kiama’s fast paced strikers saw them claw back one goal after a cross was headed in from close range. Dale restored the 2 goal buffer just before the break, however Kiama snatched another a minute later. Apples Snr suppressed Kiama’s attempts to take the lead into the break after a string of quality saves. 3-2 to Bally as the oranges came out.

The second half saw Bally increase their lead to 5-2 after Dale and Rich both bagging goals early on. Apples Snr had his own Robert Green moment – lapsing in concentration to let a weak shot bobble over his hands – to give Kiama some hope with 15mins remaining. Dale chalked up his 4th goal of the game after shooting from the edge of the box – the keeper palming in to see the game end at 6-3 in favour of the Rangers.

On a slightly wet track, Bally welcomed Bellambi to Judy Masters Oval for this round 9 Division One clash.

Bally started the game well with some good periods of possession and were rarely troubled at the back. Bally’s first goal came from some great attacking play down the right and Dale Schmid found himself with a great opportunity to score but unselfishly squared to Zac with an even easier opportunity and he made no mistake from 6 yards. 15 minutes later, Dale got himself on the scoresheet for the 3rd week in a row after a determined effort to get into the box, slotting in from 12 yards.

Bally had a few more chances to kill the game off, however the Bellambi ‘keeper made a few decent saves mid-way through the second stanza. The second half remained scoreless, with Bellambi only having one decent shot on goal right at the end.

With captain Alan Appleby out for this game – assisting with the birth of his first son, things had to be re-shuffled around for the defending champions. Brent came into the sweeper role, while Richard Astone came back into the team up front.

Bally started the game well, however, running into the wind saw most of the ball in their own half and it showed with Dapto having half a dozen free kicks just outside the box early on in the game. All attempts were either saved by Apples Snr in goal or the wall did enough to deflect/frighten the Dapto strikers attempts.

Bally were awarded a penalty mid-way through the half, however Paul Cicero’s attempt was weak and although the ‘keeper was sent the wrong way, Cich’s stab floated over the crossbar. Dale notched up another goal to his slowly increasing tally, after some great team play saw him slot in from close range to give Bally a 1 goal advantage going into the break. Dapto were reduced to 10 men before half-time which would give Bally extra confidence for the second half.

Due to the wind and Dapto’s reduced team, the remainder of the game was almost exclusively played in Dapto’s end of the ground. Bally peppered the Dapto goal with shots, but the final touch was just not there for Bally today. 3 points were taken, however Bally really should have buried this team with half a dozen goals.

A much better display from the Rangers this week after a very lack lustre display seven days ago.

With only two subs on the bench and notable absentees in Zac, Rich, Smiles & Sam things were going to be difficult from the first whistle.

Bally started the game running uphill into the breeze and on a very bumpy pitch that seemed to contain at least three different species of grass.

Anyway… Bally surprisingly had most of the ball in the opening stanza and probably should have bagged a few goals withing the first 20 mins with Brent Wilson heading into the crossbar and Dale coming close on two occasions. The Bally defence held strong after countless long balls from the ‘Burgh with only one or two troublesome attacks. With a few minutes remaining in the first half, Traka weaved like a cane basket master maker down the wing and cross to Brent who volleyed to give Bally the edge leading into the second half.

The second half saw Bally take a little more control and really should have had three goals in the first 4 minutes with some heading (Lukin) and Shooting (Schmid) going agonisingly close to finding the mark. Dale eventually got on the scoresheet 10 minutes in and Bally took more control of the game, although the Thistles manged a few corner kicks that didn’t really trouble the Bally Boys. Dale finshed the game off in the final 10 minutes after a thunderbolt went under the keeper from 18 yeards out.

A good win for Bally, more so with a very threadbare squad, keeps us 3 points off the pace.

Very warm conditions at Hume Oval greeted the Bally Rangers and with Picton 2 from 2, this was going to be a tough game.

Bally started well and enjoyed a good amount of possession early, however some lacklustre displays in midfield and defence saw Picton have a few chances early on – with Apples Snr in goals making a great full stretch save to his left.

Bally got on the scoresheet first with Travis Faulks delivering a sublime cross which Rich Astone volleyed in from 18 yards after 25 minutes. Five minutes later Rich chalked up another goal after Zak unselfishly laid one off for Rich to slot home. Picton were equal with 5 mins to go before halftime after a rapid fire succession of goals – the result of some very lazy midfield and defence.

The second half saw Benny C change things up a bit with Dante coming off and Brent coming on up front. A few midfield changes saw Bally more composed although Picton also stepped things up attacking a little more however Bally’s defence was solid. The game was won when Brent Wilson played a short cross to Dale on the edge of the Picton box and Dale made no mistake placing it in the top corner. A few more chances went begging for both sides, with Apples Snr in goals making two more crucial saves late in the game. Pete Lukin worked tirelessly in the middle of the park all game and Dale never seemed to stop running up front.